We moved to Oak Harbor in January 1950 at 5 years old (pre Kow Korner). At 66 we have seen a lot of changes. The moving of the Copeland Lumber Yard, and the Ford dealer from Pioneer Way to Highway 20; Pioneer Department Store closing its doors, partially due to lack of parking, even though they had off street parking in the rear; Masten’s Variety and too many other small businesses to mention closed their doors due to lack of business, many before the arrival of the big box stores.

We have watched with mixed emotions as our small hometown has grown and prospered. One thing has stayed the same, the slow demise of downtown Pioneer Way. It is like watching a loved one die a slow death. Over the years we have watched a vast number of failed attempts to revive downtown. In case you haven’t noticed the streets and sidewalks are crumbling and parking is sad. The number of businesses that are barely surviving greatly outnumber those that are prospering. Would you wait until a loved one was about to take their last breath to save them? I think not, I hope not.

The downtown project is not something new that the current administration just dreamed up, it has been in the works for a number of years. The funding has already been set aside and will not require additional taxes, and will create new jobs.

There will be a temporary negative impact on the downtown merchants. The city is in the process of doing every thing it can to minimize those effects, i.e., as much work as possible to be done at night.

Deteriorating downtown infrastructure cannot be put off indefinitely. The street, sidewalks, and parking along with vacant land where businesses once stood is making success for a small business difficult.

As for the one-way part of the project the additional parking and aesthetic changes will make the downtown more appealing to local shoppers as well as visitors.

Although I don’t always agree with the mayor and members of the city council, to refer to any of them as “unethical, illegal” is absurd. Each and every one of them act and do what they feel is best for Oak Harbor, not for personal gain.

Now it is time for all those who will be affected by the long-needed improvements to downtown Oak Harbor to get behind the project and do all you can to help yourselves and each other. You are the ones who will gain the most.

Jerry McMillan

Oak Harbor